Did Jofra Archer Fight With Shoaib Bashir? On Ground Spectator Reveals Truth Behind Viral Video

Shoaib Bashir and other England players [Source: screengrab]

England fought back against New Zealand by picking three late wickets on Day 3 after having conceded a first innings advantage of 84 runs to the visitors. Jofra Archer and comeback man Gus Atkinson made full use of the new ball to steamroll New Zealand’s top-order, before all-rounders Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell steered the ‘Black Caps’ to safety. 

Amidst a tense faceoff between the two sides with series on the line, a controversy seemingly erupted early on Day 2 of the match at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. The incident occurred after England spinner Shoaib Bashir caught-and-bowled New Zealand tailender Nathan Smith at 434-8, and the controversial moment also seemingly involved senior fast bowler Jofra Archer. 

Here, we take a detailed look at the incident and determine whether speculations of a rift within the England team are true or not. 

Truth behind ‘fight’ between Archer and Bashir

On Day 2 of the series-deciding England vs New Zealand Test in Nottingham, Shoaib Bashir trapped New Zealand number nine Nathan Smith at 434-8 in the 114th over of the innings. Celebrating the wicket, the cricketer was soon mobbed by several of his teammates, including national captain Ben Stokes.

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As it happened, Jofra Archer did not joined the team huddle at the time, prompting several online cricket fans to question the apparent ‘arrogant behavior’ of the speedster. Moreover, it took an 'angry' Stokes who forcibly called Archer to join the team.

Troll cricket unlimitedd

@TUnlimitedd

This 23 second clip sums up Jofra Archer as a cricketer. Has the heart of a pea and filled with arrogance. Good on Ben Stokes to call him out and asking to celebrate the wicket with his teammates. Ben Stokes setting the right example as a captain and cricketer. Cricket is a team

Jun 27, 2026, 1:37 PM

However, several England cricket fans who claimed to have attended the venue for the match claimed that Archer was having a drink at the time and was talking with one of the team analysts, likely for advice on how to bowl. 

The fans also claimed that Jofra Archer even celebrated Shoaib Bashir’s wicket when the speedster was fielding near the boundary. 

Scott Button

@Scott_Button12

@TUnlimitedd I was at the ground, this isn’t what happened. Archer was having a drink and talking to one of the Analysts at the time, probably getting advice on where to bowl etc. He was clapping straight away from the Boundary with Bashirs catch!

Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir and Ben Stokes skittle New Zealand

Regardless, Jofra Archer and Shoaib Bashir as well as captain Ben Stokes all played a key role in England wrapping up the New Zealand innings for just 438 in their first innings. 

The ‘Black Caps’ started off the match with an epic 317-run opening partnership between centurions Tom Latham and Devon Conway. However, England bowlers picked up New Zealand’s final 10 wickets for just 121 additional runs to the total to tilt the tide back in favor of the hosts. 

Archer and Shoaib Bashir themselves picked up two wickets each, while Stokes snared four to complete 250 Test wickets in the process.

New Zealand lead increases to 204 runs before Day 4

A rapid ton from opener Ben Duckett, and cracking half-centuries from Jacob Bethell and Harry Brook extended the England first innings total to 354. For New Zealand, Nathan Smith (4-91), Will O’Rourke (3-53) and Zak Foulkes (3-35) accounted for all 10 wickets in the innings. 

With New Zealand enjoying an 84-run lead at the halfway stage of the match, Rachin Ravindra punched out a fighting fifty late on Day 3 to steer the ‘Black Caps’ to 120-3 by stumps. Ravindra will resume the New Zealand innings on Day 4 alongside Daryl Mitchell with a lead of 204 runs.

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